In the vast expanse of the multiverse, where every decision sends ripples through the fabric of time and space, weaving alternate realities, Marvel's "What If…?" Season 3 Episode 1, aptly named "What If…The Hulk Fought the Mech Avengers?", propels us on an exhilarating journey through a realm where the Hulk's gamma-infused fury triggers a mechanical clash of titans. This episode, echoing the nostalgia of the Power Rangers and drawing inspiration from iconic IPs such as Ultraman, Mobile Suit Gundam, Pacific Rim, and Transformers, orchestrates a high-octane confrontation between humanity and the formidable Gamma Beasts.
The episode unfolds with a poignant depiction of Bruce Banner's arduous struggle to find acceptance within society's fold after his fateful gamma accident. Amidst this turmoil, Sam Wilson, in a twist reminiscent of "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," strikes up an unexpected friendship with Banner during a jog at the majestic Lincoln Memorial. Banner's profound sense of isolation and the haunting fear of inadvertently harming those he holds dear drive him to seek solace within the confines of a group therapy session, guided by the compassionate presence of Sam. Their bond blossoms like a delicate flower until a harrowing incident aboard Sarah's boat shatters the tranquility. Banner, unable to suppress his primal urges, transforms into the Hulk, unleashing a tempest of chaos and fear among their circle of friends. This harrowing turn of events pushes Banner into an even deeper abyss of solitude, as he embarks on a desperate quest for a cure to his incurable condition.
In a frantic bid to vanquish the Hulk within, Banner subjects himself to gamma rays once more, hoping for redemption. However, this act of sheer desperation only unravels a catastrophic sequence of events. The gamma radiation not only twists Banner's alter ego into a monstrous Gamma Beast but also severs the beast from its human tether, birthing Apex, the omnipotent king of all Gamma Beasts. Unshackled by Banner's consciousness, Apex wreaks unimaginable devastation across the globe, ultimately igniting the first Gamma Wars, a conflict that would reshape the fate of humanity.
Confronted by the formidable might of the Gamma Beasts, the world's heroes, including Tony Stark, come to a stark realization: their superpowers alone are insufficient to vanquish this monumental threat. In a bold maneuver echoing his Iron Man persona, Stark designs Hulk-Busters, colossal mechs manned by the Avengers, to stand against the gamma tide. Despite their valorous attempts, the Avengers ultimately fall to Apex, sacrificing everything in their valiant struggle.
Ten years pass, during which Apex conceals its gamma radiation in the icy depths of the Arctic, biding its time. When it emerges anew with a formidable army, launching an invasion that catches humanity flat-footed, Sam and his team, reinforced by Monica Rambeau, find themselves locked in a fierce battle against Apex's overwhelming strength. Rambeau urges them to seek the aid of Banner, the sole individual with the capability to end this crisis.
Banner, who has retreated to a lair nestled within an eruptive volcano, has devised the Mighty Avenger Protocol, a sophisticated mech-interface code capable of amalgamating the Hulk-Busters into a formidable Mega Hulk Buster. Even with their combined prowess, they falter against Apex's relentless assault. In a moment of supreme bravery, Banner makes the ultimate sacrifice by absorbing gamma radiation from an atomic bomb, transforming into the Mega Hulk. This metamorphosis grants him the strength to overcome Apex, absorbing its radiation and vanquishing the menace forever.
In a poignant denouement, Banner, now the new Apex, stands confronted by Sam, who pleads with the remnants of humanity within the colossal beast. Banner heeds Sam's emotional appeal, turning his back on mankind and guiding the Gamma Beasts back to the Arctic. The episode concludes on a haunting note of ambiguity, leaving us to ponder whether Banner will ever reclaim his human form and what fate awaits Sam and his team as they vigilantly monitor the new Apex in the icy wilderness.
This episode of "What If…?" serves as a poignant testament to the enduring power of friendship and the perilous repercussions of unchecked power. It delves deeply into Banner's profound isolation and his relentless struggle with the Hulk, culminating in a breathtaking mech-powered battle that redefines the very essence of heroism and sacrifice.
